Abstract: The sealing device includes a heatable base plate that cooperates with a heatable split plate to simultaneously form three intersecting seal lines. The split plate includes an alpha plate and a beta plate. The alpha plate and the beta plate each include a first heated surface that cooperate with the base heated surface to form a pair of co-linear seal lines. In addition, the alpha plate and the beta plate each include a second heated surface that cooperate together to form a third seal line that extends in a direction perpendicular to the co-linear seal lines and intersects the co-linear seal lines. A method of forming a complex seal joint is also described.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention generally relate to a recycling system and method thereof. More specifically, embodiments of the present invention relate to a method of implementing an incentive-based recycling system which rewards clients for recycling recyclable goods via financial or other incentives. In one embodiment, a method of implementing a system of incentive-based recycling comprises dispatching a vehicle on a collection route, collecting recyclable material from a series of collection points, obtaining unique identification data from each collection point, dropping off recyclable material at a drop-off facility, uploading the unique identification data to a central database, and allocating rewards to a customer corresponding to a measurement of the unique identifying data.

Abstract: A protection arrangement for an occupant of a vehicle includes an air bag package and a structural component. The structural component includes a reception with a profile geometry for the air bag package. The air bag package includes a receiving section which is received in the reception. The receiving section includes a permanent press contour corresponding and/or equals to the profile geometry of the reception.

Abstract: A nightwear vending machine to be placed in and around the grounds of all hospitals, clinics and health care centers in the UK. The vending machine will sell women's, men's and children's pyjamas, night dresses, night gowns and slippers to all members of the public and be available 24 hours a day.

Abstract: A system for protecting eye glass frames during a hair dye, coloring, or highlighting process is described. The system includes a support layer, a pair of gloves laminated onto the support layer, and a pair of eyeglass arm protectors laminated onto the support layer. Each eyeglass arm protector is formed as a sleeve having an open end. An apparatus and method are also disclosed for manufacturing sections of a support layer material, each section having a pair of gloves and a pair of eyeglass arm protectors laminated thereto. Also disclosed is a system for providing laminated gloves one over the other, having a carrier sheet and a pair of gloves on the carrier sheet, the pair of gloves having a top glove and a bottom glove. The top glove overlaps the bottom glove and is laminated directly on the bottom glove, without the gloves being sealed together, and the gloves are the same hand size.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a package in which an extraction bag having four triangular surfaces is stored in an exterior bag includes: a direction regulation step of regulating a direction of the extraction bag to be a specified direction; a pressing step of pressing the extraction bag so that one surface or one side of the extraction bag is folded into two; a folding step of folding the extraction bag by surface-pressing of the extraction bag from both sides of surfaces that are overlapped upon being folded into two; and a packaging step of forming a package in which the folded extraction bag is stored in the exterior bag. According to the method, when a trigonal-pyramid pack is packaged with an exterior bag, the trigonal-pyramid pack can be closed in the exterior bag in the state of being folded flat in a fixed form.

Abstract: An airbag unit for a motor vehicle safety device includes an inflatable airbag formed of flexible material and provided in a rolled and/or folded package. The package is held under compression by a cover which extends around at least part of the package. The cover is formed from a ductile fabric material including polymeric fibres, at least some of the fibres fused to one another to impart a predetermined stable shape to the unit. A method of packaging the airbag includes providing an inflatable airbag formed of flexible sheet material; rolling and/or folding the airbag and at least partially wrapping it with an initially flexible cover to form an intermediate package, the cover formed from a ductile fabric material including polymeric fibres; simultaneously heating and pressing the intermediate package to form a compressed package in which at least some of the fibres are fused to one another, the compressed package having a stable shape defined by the fused fibres.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus, and systems for packing or deploying airbag cushions, such as driver side airbag cushions, to improve unfolding kinematics and/or otherwise improve performance. In some implementations of methods for packing an airbag cushion, a first portion of an airbag cushion may be compressed and then secured in a compressed configuration using a first wrap. A second portion of the airbag cushion may then be compressed and secured in a second compressed configuration using a second wrap. The resulting airbag cushion assembly may be configured to separate the wraps sequentially, rather than simultaneously, during inflation of the airbag cushion.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for forming patterns on sheet material are disclosed. The method comprises a continuous lateral stretch process for producing zero- or near zero-curvature structures. In a preferred embodiment, the method comprises pre-gathering the sheet material in the lateral direction to form longitudinal corrugated folds and then feeding the corrugated material through one or more sets of oscillating formers, preferably articulating discs, to impart folding in the lateral direction. Optionally, the sheet material may be fed through one or more sets of patterned rollers.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for packing products into containers is described herein. More particularly, the method and apparatus are directed to packaging sheets of packages such as pouches or sachets that are joined together end-to-end. The apparatus may include a folding mechanism and a collection receptacle. The method and apparatus may perform one or more steps simultaneously so that the folding and packing of such sheets into containers can be carried out without the flow of incoming sheets being interrupted.

Abstract: A festooning device is provided for packaging a continuous length of a material or product in a container at high operating speeds, with little or no operator adjustment until the container is completely filled. The festooning device can include an articulated paddle that further increases the fill of product from edge to edge in the container. The movements of the shuttle arm, container, and/or articulated paddle are synchronized to reduce the travel distance that the individual components of the festooning device, avoid overthrows of material over the upper edge of the container at high operating speeds, and provide maximum fill of the container. Also provided are a system and a method using the festooning device.

Abstract: A device for covering a door of an entryway when the door is in a closed position, comprising a rectangular sheet pre-cut to a predetermined length and width, and a pressure sensitive adhesive coated onto one side of the rectangular sheet. The pressure sensitive adhesive is spaced apart from an edge of the rectangular sheet and extends around an entire perimeter of the rectangular sheet.

Abstract: Improved product handling and transfer apparatus includes rotatable product buckets for receiving product and re-orienting product for packaging in diverse configurations or containers. Buckets preferably include channels spanned by deposited product or receiving product therein, with bucket turning as appropriate to a packaging configuration. Flat bottom buckets and methods are disclosed.

Abstract: Improved system and method embodiments of transporting and displaying boxed products, such as compressible bedding products, are disclosed. For example, by selecting box size, shape, and orientation appropriately, product density on a pallet may be increased. In some instances, the ability to alter box size and shape may arise due to the compressible nature of products; for example, by compressing the products prior to rolling and insertion into boxes, the box dimensions available for embodiment may be altered. Some systems and methods may also apply to boxed products on shelving or other surfaces.

Abstract: An add-on to a standard multi-tray duplex printer (7) directs, from the printer to a holding and creasing station (14, 15, 16), a standard envelope-size sheet (1) (e.g. A3+) printed with at least a sealer toner frame (4) on the inside and a printed address on the outside. Content sheets (5) (e.g. A4) are then printed and stacked at a collection station and the complete stack (5b) is then folded into the envelope sheet (1) as rollers (15, 16) press and seal the toner borders together, delivering a sealed and addressed finished envelope packet (1b) in a single line from a standard printer using standard paper sizes in standard magazines. The invention includes the add-on unit, the printer with add-on and the enveloping method.

Abstract: Sterilization wraps have a first side colored at least a first color and an opposing second side colored at least a second color that is different than the first color. These sterilization wraps are then paired such that each of the pairs of sterilization wraps has the aforementioned first sides of the sterilization wraps that comprise the pair of sterilization wraps facing one another. By one approach these pairs of sterilization wraps are un-bonded and hence are not physically connected to one another. By another approach the sterilization wraps that comprise a given pair can be coupled to one another (for example, by an intermingling of the materials that comprise the two sterilization wraps). A plurality of such pairs of sterilization wraps can then be placed in a suitable container to facilitate handling, storage, and shipment.

Abstract: A device for wrapping an article, the device comprising a first feeder for a first sheet of plastics film, a second feeder for a second sheet of plastics film, a carriage for positioning the article between the first and second sheets of plastics film and a sealing mechanism for sealing the first and second sheets of plastics film together adjacent the periphery of the article.

Abstract: A dryer ball is provided for use in a clothes dryer to reduce clothes drying time. The dryer ball has a substantially spherical wool body and a substantially uniform distribution of wool fibers therethrough. The body has a volume in the range of about 600 cm3 to 930 cm3. A method of manufacturing the dryer ball includes providing a piece of wool material weighing in the range of 54 g to 60 g, folding the piece of wool material into a substantially spherical wool ball having a circumference in the range of 43 cm to 53 cm, sealing the wool ball in a porous bag, washing the wool ball in the bag, removing the wool ball from the bag, and allowing the wool ball to air dry.

Abstract: This disclosure provides systems and methods for covering a pinball machine. Some systems may include a first shell configured to receive and cover an upper cabinet of a pinball machine. The first shell may include a first-shell fastening apparatus configured to secure the upper cabinet within the first shell. Some systems may include a second shell configured to receive and cover an upper cabinet and a lower cabinet of a pinball machine. The upper cabinet may be folded on top of the lower cabinet and secured to the lower cabinet using a cabinet fastening apparatus. The second shell may include a second-shell fastening apparatus configured to secure the upper and lower cabinet within the second shell.

Abstract: A method of adapting a plurality of tissues for dispensing, includes cutting each tissue into a rectangular shape having a length and a width; folding each tissue in half lengthwise into a first attitude having the same length and one-half of the width; folding each tissue in half lengthwise again into a second attitude having the same length and having only one-quarter of the original width; placing an even number of equally spaced, widthwise folds, in the tissue dividing the tissue into an odd number of rectangular portions arranged in a Z-folded accordion arrangement; and aligning the plurality of folded tissues in a linear sequence with one rectangular portion of each succeeding folded tissue in the sequence engaged between two adjacent rectangular portions of a preceding folded tissue in the sequence.

Abstract: A method (1) includes: a step (S10) of conveying the wearing article (1) in such a manner that a front waistline portion (10) and a back waistline portion (20) extend in a conveyance direction (MD) of the wearing article (1); a step (S20) of changing the conveyance direction (MD) of the wearing article (1) by 90 degrees; a step (S30) of folding a flap portion (70) toward the front waistline portion (10), while conveying the wearing article (1); a step (S40) of folding the wearing article (1) along a middle portion, which is located in the middle between the front waistline portion (10) and a crotch portion (30) in the front-to-back direction of the wearing article (1), in such a manner that the front waistline portion (10) and the crotch portion (30) face each other.

Abstract: A garment box is described, the box having a plurality of side wall panels, a ceiling panel and a floor panel, and at least one retainer or a plurality of retainers for securing a garment. The retainer(s) may be (each) arranged to cooperate with (a respective) one of the panels of the box, for example with respective adjacent panels. A drop and collect cleaning system is also described. A garment to be cleaned is placed in a garment box and the garment box dropped off at a drop off location. The cleaned garment is collected in a garment box from a pre-arranged collection location.

Abstract: When an air bag body beings to expand due to gas flowing from an inflator into the air bag body, a left side folded piece and a right side folded piece which have been folded into concertinas expand quickly to thrust laterally to the left and right. Vent holes are located to be exposed in upper faces of the folded pieces. Accordingly, the gas can flow out from the interiors of the folded pieces through the vent holes as soon as the folded pieces begin to expand.

Abstract: A tissue product, which includes a carton and a stack of tissues, is provided with a flattened arched-shaped sheet that supports the stack of tissues. As the tissues are withdrawn from the carton and the weight of the tissue stack is reduced, the flattened arch-shaped sheet gradually assumes its normal arched shape, thereby raising the stack of tissues within the carton. Raising the stack substantially reduces or eliminates “fall-back”, which is a common dispensing problem, as the stack height is reduced.

Abstract: When sheets (1, 2) with different sizes are processed to a mail item, sheets (1, 2) with different sizes in conveying direction are supplied along first and second conveyor tracks, gathered into a stack and then folded. The folding of the stacked set (7) takes place with at least one predetermined folding length (a). In response to a difference between the folding length (a) and the size of the sheet (2) of the second size, which is within a predetermined range, the conveyor tracks (5, 6) are controlled by the control structure (9) for combining at least the sheets (1, 2) with leading edges (10, 11) at a mutual distance in the conveying direction (3) and with trailing edges (12, 13) at a mutual distance in the conveying direction (3) to form the set (7). From the combining until the folding, the sheets (1, 2) are mutually fixed and during folding, at least one fold (14) is provided in the sheets (1, 2).

Abstract: Containment devices, for example for containing fluid or contaminant spills, are described. An example containment device includes a flexible absorbent structure which is configured to absorb a first liquid material, for example a liquid hydrocarbon, antifreeze, engine coolant, or combinations thereof, while being further configured to repel and/or resist the absorption of a second liquid material, such as water. The absorbent structure may be attached to a containment structure, which is made from a flexible material impervious to the first liquid material, and which may include a pocket for receiving a reinforcement member therein. During use, a reinforcement member is provided in a pocket along a perimeter of the containment structure, the containment structure being adapted to be collapsed into a compact configuration when not use.

Abstract: A compact package for making an orthopedic cast is made from a fabric folded and compressed, having an initial over-all surface area, that, when saturated with water, expands to final over-all surface area that is larger by a factor greater than 50 than the initial over-all surface area. The package also includes a water-curable material, impregnated into the fabric, so that when the material is saturated with water, the material cures to become rigid. When the package is used, the fabric impregnated with the material may be immersed in water and expanded. Once expanded and unfolded, the fabric may be placed around a portion of a body for which the orthopedic cast is desired. The material then becomes rigid so as to form the orthopedic cast.

Abstract: A method for creating mailpieces from a single web of printed material. The web of printed material includes printed matter to be used on envelopes, and other printed matter to be used on mail content to be included in the envelopes. The method starts with cutting consecutive sections of the web into separated sheets. Some of the separated sheets are envelope sheets including envelope printed matter, and some of the sheets are mail content sheets including mail content printed matter. The method includes cutting variable sized sheets depending on whether a sheet is a mail content sheet, or an envelope sheet. The method further includes cutting variable sized envelope sheets depending on the size of the mailpieces.

Abstract: A kit for disseminating location specific geographical information and confections comprising essentially of a container sized and configured to house a map, a map, a protective sheath and confections. The container further comprises a lid containing information referencing a known geographic location such as a major city or the metropolitan area surrounding a major city. The map is sized and configured to be housed in the container d the map corresponds to the geographic location referenced on the lid of the container. The confections are sized and configured to be housed in the container. The protective is sheath sized and configured to protect the map from direct contact with the confections, thereby preventing the map from becoming sticky or otherwise covered with residue or contamination from the confections. The kit is then distributed to specific geographic locations.

Abstract: An individually packaged absorbent article assembly including a tri-folded absorbent article having two end portions and an intermediate portion, and a pouch containing the tri-folded absorbent article, the pouch being structured and arranged to enable a user to selectively open the pouch to thereby expose a garment-facing surface of the intermediate portion of the absorbent article prior to exposing a garment-facing surface of either of the end portions of the absorbent article.

Abstract: A drape (600) suitable for covering non-planar surfaces of equipment (1201) is provided. The drape (600) facilitates quick and efficient deployment while ensuring that a sterile field established by a drape portion (601) is not compromised. The drape (600) can include a drape wrapping layer (209) wrapped about a drape portion (601) that is formed initially with two abutting elongated accordion fold stacks (604,605). Non-sterile personnel (801) can handle the drape wrapping layer (209) to position the drape (600) along surfaces of the equipment (1201) without touching the sterile drape portion (601). Sterile personnel can then expand the abutting elongated accordion fold stacks (604,605) to drape the surfaces of the equipment (1201).

Abstract: A deployment flap can be used with inflatable airbag to reduce the risk of the airbag getting caught between the instrument panel of a vehicle and an out of position occupant. The manner in which the airbag and deployment flap are folded prior to deployment alters their deployment characteristics, such as trajectory.

Abstract: A foldable mattress support is made by covering a metal frame with a fabric covering. The metal frame includes two sections that fold together at two hinges. A first section includes first upper and lower frames, and a second section includes second upper and lower frames. Each of the upper and lower frames is pivotally attached to a hinge. A bolt that is oriented along a first axis passes through the first upper frame and through a plate of the hinge. The first upper frame pivots about a first axis; the second upper frame pivots about a second axis; the first lower frame pivots about a third axis; and the second lower frame pivots about a fourth axis. Each of the axes is orthogonal to the plate, and the third axis is spaced farther apart from the fourth axis than the first axis is spaced apart from the second axis.

Abstract: A process for manufacturing a package of folded absorbent articles is disclosed. In one embodiment, the process includes providing a plurality of absorbent cores, and embossing at least one fold line into each core, each fold line defining a fold region. The process further includes folding each core along the fold region of each fold line to create a plurality of folded absorbent garments, and placing the plurality of folded absorbent garments into a container. In particular embodiments, each core can include two transversely opposed absorbent ears. The process can include folding each core along the fold region of each fold line to move each ear closer to a longitudinal centerline of the core to create a plurality of folded absorbent garments. A package of folded absorbent articles is also disclosed.

Abstract: A mattress frame that occupies a small volume and can be used by a recipient without having to assemble the frame. The frame has four connected sides and is made of foam. The frame is rectangular in shape and has two longer sides and two shorter sides. The two shorter sides are folded in a U shape so that a bow-tie-shaped frame results. The bow-tie-shaped frame is rolled and packaged in a container. The frame can be rolled to form a spiral or an M-shape. A recipient of the rolled frame removes the frame from its packaging and the frame expands to its intended shape.

Abstract: A method for packaging an absorbent article assembly that includes following the steps. First and second breast milk absorbent pads are fed onto wrapping sheet web. Next, the first breast milk absorbent pad is displaced from a transverse center line toward an upper end by ¼ of a dimension thereof as measured in a longitudinal direction, and the second breast milk absorbent pad is displaced from a transverse center line toward an lower end by ¼ of a dimension thereof as measured in a longitudinal direction. Next, the first and second breast milk absorbent pads are folded back from the upper and lower ends toward the transverse center line. Next, the upper and lower ends of the wrapping sheet web are folded back toward the transverse center line. Next, a joint zone is formed between the first and second breast milk absorbent pads and the pads are cut apart.

Abstract: An air bag device for a people protection system of a vehicle, having a folded air bag which forms an air bag package having a length and a height. An inlay element, directly connected to and/or placed into the air bag, is provided having a length which essentially corresponds to the length of at least a section of the air bag package and having a height which essentially corresponds to the height of the air bag package. The inlay element is provided and arranged to define the folded air bag regarding its cross-section dimensions and to thereby fix it with desired cross-section dimensions. The inlay element is designed as an elongated flat section and is made of multiple segments, succeeding one another in the longitudinal direction of the air bag. At least one segment of the inlay element has a bore.

Abstract: A packaged garment includes a garment and a sealed bag. The garment has a torso portion, a sleeve portion connected to the torso portion, and a leg portion connected to the torso portion. The garment has an outer surface and an inner surface opposite the outer surface. The sealed bag contains the garment with the sleeve portion folded onto the torso portion, a portion of the sleeve portion folded at least once underneath the sleeve portion between the sleeve portion and the torso portion, and the leg portion folded onto the torso portion. The garment is manipulated so that the inner surface of the torso portion faces outward and the torso portion forms an inner space containing the sleeve portion and the leg portion.

Abstract: Lightweight armor protection systems and methods for armoring a soft-skinned shelter can include a plurality of panel assemblies and a plurality of couplers configured to secure the panel assemblies relative to the soft-skinned shelter. Individual panel assemblies include a plurality of panels positioned adjacent to one another along lengthwise panel edges, wherein the panels are composed of a ballistic material, and a plurality of hinges pivotally coupling the panels. Adjacent individual panels pivot relative to one another between a stacked arrangement of the panel assembly and an expanded arrangement of the panel assembly.

Abstract: A bulk pack napkin separator and method utilize various combinations of simultaneous compression of several bulk packs and various forms of bulk pack accumulators for improving speed and functionality of the separator.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing devices built on flexible substrates employs an in-situ, fold-assisting device frame. The fold-assisting frame conforms to a portion of the interior volume within the package, such that one or more pivoting members of the frame may be used as an in-situ, bending jig, in place of conventional bending equipment, to support and fold the planar flexible substrate into a desired three-dimensional configuration. The frame may accommodate placement of an unfolded or partially folded flexible circuit board so that a fold-assisting feature, such as a hinge, incorporated into the frame attaches to the flexible circuit board and closes around a pivot point to gently bend the circuit board into place, thus creating a three-dimensional folded circuit. Such a fixture and method facilitate packaging electronic devices in a compact form, with application to a wide range of mobile consumer electronics, including, for example, implantable medical devices.

Abstract: The present invention includes following the steps of: In a first step, first and second breast milk absorbent pads 2(i), 3(i) are fed onto wrapping sheet web 29. In a second step, the first breast milk absorbent pad 2(ii) is fed so as to be displaced from a transverse center line 32 toward an upper end 30 by ¼ of a dimension H thereof as measured in a longitudinal direction Y, and the second breast milk absorbent pad 2(ii) is fed so as to be displaced from a transverse center line 32 toward an lower end 30 by ¼ of a dimension H thereof as measured in a longitudinal direction Y. In a third step, the first and second breast milk absorbent pads 2, 3(iii) are respectively folded back from the upper and lower ends 30, 31 toward the transverse center line 32 in two-ply fashion. In a fourth step, the upper and lower ends of the wrapping sheet web 29 are folded back toward the transverse center line 32.

Abstract: A device for hanging a collared garment, includes a support to be inserted into and hold the garment, on either side of the collar, and a hook secured to the support. The support has a body which ends in two folding ends, the device having an element for retracting the hook into the body, and an element for extending the folding ends such as to extend the body when a pulling force is applied to the hook, in order for the device to change from a first, more compact planar position, in which the folding ends are folded against the body and the hook is in the retracted position, to a second position in which the hook and the folding ends are extended, allowing the garment to be hung when a pulling force is applied to the hook of the device previously arranged in the garment.

Abstract: A sterile glove that includes a hand and finger portion, a cuff having an inside surface and an outside surface, and a cuff rim. The cuff is adapted to be folded over at a fold when the glove is packaged, and a portion of the inside surface of the cuff becomes an outer facing surface when it is folded over. The glove further includes a detachable tab that is coupled to the inside surface and includes a free end and a non-free end. The glove further includes a detachable shield covering at least a portion of the outer facing surface when the cuff is folded over at the fold.

Abstract: An apparatus for producing a printed mailing has an accumulator module in which an envelope and an insert are compiled to a set. In a folding module arranged downstream of the accumulator module, the set is folded to form the printed mailing. In the accumulator module the envelope is positioned displaced relative to the insert and the set is folded at least twice in the folding module. In the method for producing a printed mailing, an envelope and an insert are complied to a set. The envelope is positioned such that a first end portion of the envelope projects past the insert transversely to a folding edge. Envelope and insert are folded jointly such that a second end portion of the envelope is positioned between two layers of the folded insert. The first end portion is then folded across a section of the envelope that encloses the insert.

Abstract: Gloves and dispensers for gloves are generally discussed herein with particular discussions extended to disposable gloves packaged in a disposable dispenser configured to engage with a carrier. Aspects of the glove assemblies provided herein include a dispenser case having a flange having locking tab for sliding engagement with a channel on the carrier. The dispenser case may be removed from the carrier and a new dispenser case engaged to the carrier.

Abstract: A method of package folding a disposable sanitary article and article thereof having a front part, a rear part, a crotch part therebetween, and a belt including two parts. Each of the two belt parts can be extended in a cross-direction outwardly from the respective outer end portion of each side portion of the rear part. The belt is arranged on the rear part with the belt parts overlapping each other. Fastening elements for releasably fastening the front part to the belt are arranged on each side portion of the front part. The article is folded so that the folded article attains a rectangular shape and a desired size. As a first step in the package folding, the front and rear parts are folded towards each other so that the fastening elements on the front part are attached to one of the overlapping belt parts arranged on the rear part.

Abstract: A clothing packing apparatus for folding a clothing article, such as a suit, comprising a spacing material to separate parts of the folded clothing article comprises a parts that partial overlay a fold line in the aligned sleeves and the body of an article of clothing; a slit for folding the sleeves independently; gripping surfaces to engage the clothing article; rounded/tapered edges to eliminate pressure compressions; pre-formed bands to improve folding performance; and a casing for storage and transit. The spacing material is preferably formed of foam capable of forming a continuous U-shaped curve along the fold lines and an anti-collapsible structure when folded with the clothing article.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for making a gastro-retentive device (10). The method includes the steps of providing a pouch assembly having an ingredient section within a membrane; folding the membrane to form a folded pouch assembly; inserting the folded pouch assembly into a first capsule section (20a) to form a pouch/first capsule assembly, and inserting the pouch/first capsule assembly into a second capsule section (20b). Also provided is an apparatus (38) for carrying out the above method which includes a tooling block (44) having a passageway (62) configured for slidable movement of the pouch assembly (18) therein, and a tooling pocket (60) extending from a top surface of the tooling block to the passageway and which receives the pouch assembly. A ram (86) is provided for pushing the pouch assembly through the tooling pocket into the passageway, wherein the pouch assembly is folded and encapsulated.

Abstract: A method (1) includes: a step (S10) of conveying the wearing article (1) in such a manner that a front waistline portion (10) and a back waistline portion (20) extend in a conveyance direction (MD) of the wearing article (1); a step (S20) of changing the conveyance direction (MD) of the wearing article (1) by 90 degrees; a step (S30) of folding a flap portion (70) toward the front waistline portion (10), while conveying the wearing article (1); a step (S40) of folding the wearing article (1) along a middle portion, which is located in the middle between the front waistline portion (10) and a crotch portion (30) in the front-to-back direction of the wearing article (1), in such a manner that the front waistline portion (10) and the crotch portion (30) face each other.